Air Quality

1. Spatial and Ecological Dimensions Identify The Process present Describe the Impacts, Human and Economic Cost Responses of Individuals and Groups Air Quality Joshua, Sebastian, Hayden, Chris, Knox, Jared Summarizing 2 Newspaper Articles Video Further Recommendations

2. Explain the spatial and ecological dimensions of the issue • Air quality changes depending on the time, place and the weather. If one place has a large human population, the inevitable pollution they produce will affect the air quality in the area. Natural disasters such as a volcanic eruption can release gases into the air that drastically change the local air quality. Other disasters such as bushfires or a meteor strike can also change air quality. • Humans release large amounts of pollutants in their daily lives that affect the air quality of an area. It follows that the area around a large human settlement has a lower air quality than an area that has not been touched by humans.

3. NASA Map of global air pollution. From NASA

4. Identify the processes present, explaining one • Some of the main processes involved in changing air quality in an area are: • Fires – Bushfires release smoke into the air which changes local air quality. • Natural Disasters – Volcanoes and meteor strikes release dust and ash into the atmosphere which can change air quality over a large area. • Industry – Industrial processes such as burning coal release all kinds of pollutants into the air, changing air quality. • Urban Areas – Urban areas release pollutants such as aerosol (deodorant) and car/vehicle fumes into the air, more people = more pollution.

5. Describe the impacts including an estimate of the economic and human costs of the issue.

6. Other Points • Human impact: flatulent, car emissions, smoking, too much carbon dioxide, smog • People are affected in many ways: respiratory disease, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys • In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution. • Economic impact: smog,

7. Outline the precise responses of individuals and groups • World: There are many groups and individuals out there around the world not to mention the key organisations that play a huge part. Greenpeace is an international organisation that is a non-governmental environmental organisation that works in over 40 countries with offices in each. Their aim to reduce air pollution is helping these countries and respond to the issue by making people all over the world aware of the problems, the solutions, what we do and what you can do. They also make important references to health issues especially around the idea of air quality and make note of the key polluters and countries that contribute for example references to countries like china and cities like Hong Kong. • Australia: In Australia there are many groups and individuals that have many views and responses and this is depends on there place and part in society for example if you are apart of the government your views will be different depending on your part of government or if you were an average person you would be for or against these views and ideas that the government brings up and this is all goes down to what influence these groups and individuals have on you personally. 

8. The greens are at the head of the responses as they are they ones who are fighting and planning on things to make and improve our impact on the environment in the parliament and government of Australia and they have strong concern on the environment and respond with making sure that the air that we breathe is clean and they always work with a wide range of regional and urban communities that experience or live in reduced air quality. From roads and highways to coal mining and dirty industries not mention wood fires. The Greens have also proved and stated that NSW faces serious air quality problems that are not being addressed and brought up and fixed by the government. In conclusion with the greens they believe heavily that: the government needs to carry out regular tests and monitoring on the air quality and pollution, government policies should aim and work to minimise the pollutions at the source, pollutions and emissions from new factories and developments should be put into consideration in the making of the development for the future and the polluters should contribute and help in the fixing of the issues i.e. carbon tax. Website: Greens.org.au

9. Also there is a group organisation that was purposely organised and set up on the internet to reference and put across information about air pollution in Australia. They are known as the Australian air quality Group. There response to this issue is mainly making people aware of wood heaters and also discuss transport, energy efficiency, clean energy, solar energy, greenhouse gases, climate change and particles ( harmful and potentially dangerous pollutants ) • Website Address: http://aaqg.3sc.net/

10. Australian Governments, what do they believe? -The Greens: Promote public transport, discourage cars, cut energy use with a carbon tax. -Labor: cut energy use with a carbon tax. -Liberal: Rewards for reduced energy, consumption but NO carbon tax. -The nationals: Rewards for reduced energy, consumption but NO carbon tax.

11. Summarise two separate newspaper articles on the issues • Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/025772_pollution_health_indoor_air.html Indoor Air Pollution is a Serious Threat to your Health • It is believed that indoor air pollution is an overlooked threat that is has adverse affects to the human body, especially children spending 80% of their times indoors. Studies reveal that people who constantly surround themselves with poor indoor quality increases asthma symptoms, and can be connected with headaches, fatigue etc. Other evidence has been found that it can cause cancer. • A recent report shows the case of a boy who constantly has headaches, coughing, respiratory infections, and sometimes pneumonia. The boy reportedly missed 53 days of school during a single year because of poor indoor air quality, but was fine during the summer when he was not in school. • Sources to these problems can range from many different things some of which include-household cleaning products, chlorine, radon gas etc. • On the bright side however, indoor air pollution can be more controllable than outdoor air pollution. • There are many different things that can be used to control/lower the amount of indoor air pollution such as air filters/purifiers.

12. Article 2 – Beijing Olympics • venues There have been numerous studies into the air quality that the Olympic games was centered around in china. • SOURCE: http://www.earthtimes.org/pollution/drop-air-pollution-boost-heart-health-beijing/1988/ • The article outlines numerous points and they include: • Short and small reductions to air quality can improve heart health • Scientists discovered biological signs that when pollution levels fall cardiovascular health improves. • They spent over 17 billion dollars to improve the air quality and minimize air pollution by closing down factories and limiting transport through out the games and for 2 months prior. • Researches wanted to bring air quality levels down to the levels of previous Olympic venues so it wouldn't’t affect the biology and cardiovascular health of the athletes • They had regular visits to clinics and found many issues in health in many athletes mainly due to air quality conditions also affecting the results • Human health and the environment have been proved to be clearly linked • Lots of research and studies have gone into the air quality and pollution before during and after the games. • Lots of things have been proven and linked to air pollution and the environment and to the athletes and other people that as all been centered around air pollution

13. Recommend further actions that can be taken to minimise the impact of the issue • Greenpeace as mentioned previously is a non-governmental environmental organisation and what they mention can be and is very strong in terms of the way they convey / put across there ideas and key points.

14. What you can do: It is of great importance to be educated about Air pollution and we can help contribute to minimising the impacts of the issue if we simply educate ourselves on the causes, the impacts and what the air quality is like in our local community so therefore we can be ready and better prepared to protect our selves and more important our family. • The solution: Often for everything the solution is quite simple and straight forward and it is the same for air pollution BUT to get the best result the government plays a key part as to get things and make things known you need government action so things can be established clear, to make strict air quality standards and make the environmental standards much better, not to mention to make important decisions like reduce coal and mining in general. However what can we do? It Is you who can make a difference!

15. Other recommendations include: • alternate energy sources to reduce emissions i.e. solar power • public transport or car pooling • Go by foot or ride a bicycle • conserve energy • environmentally safe products i.e. spray cans and cleaning products • Don’t Smoke • Reduce wood heaters and fireplaces • Good waste disposal system including recycling

16. Video

17. Sources • News Paper Articles:: http://www.earthtimes.org/pollution/drop-air-pollution-boost-heart-health-beijing/1988/ • http://www.naturalnews.com/025772_pollution_health_indoor_air.html • Responses • www.Greens.org.au • http://aaqg.3sc.net/ • www.greenpeace.org • Others • www.envirobment.gov.au • Wikipedia with the use of the following links: • www.worstpolluted.org • www.epa.gov • www.who.int

18. Credits • Questions 1: Hayden 2: Hayden 3: Sebastian 4: Joshua 5: Jared, 1 Joshua, 2 6: Joshua • Video Director: Chris Script: Josh Photography: Knox CAST: HAYDEN THOMAS and JOSHUA EDWARDS Absent: Jared Weedon